Evan Sanders (Fran Kranz, The Cabin in the Woods, Dollhouse) is in a dead end job. He’s “acting” sales manager and in line for a promotion to supervise a group of unmotivated telemarketers. Evan’s also in dutch with Mandy (Emma Fitzpatrick, The Social Network), who’s not only the head of Human Resources, but also his girlfriend…and someone he’s just pissed off in a rather awkward, intimate moment.
Just when he thinks things are going to turn in his favor, Evan is passed over for the promotion in favor of his old college nemesis, Max (Pedro Pascal, Game of Thrones). Armed with a vibrant attitude and a confident swagger, Max has plans to turn the company around by turning employees into vampires. Will Max let Evan stake a claim in the ranks of the new corporate order or will Evan face a new method of termination?
Let’s face it, there are many of us who can identify with Evan’s plight. Hell, I’ve had my share of soul sucking jobs, complete with promises of climbing the corporate ladder only to find that you have to trade your life to get ahead. That’s what makes the premise of Bloodsucking Bastards so enticing. Who among us would really be surprised to find out our bosses and go-getting co-workers were lifeless bloodsuckers?
Distributed by Scream Factory and Shout! Factory (who both put out some amazing films and TV shows on DVD and Blu-Ray), Bloodsucking Bastards borrows from countless workplace films including Office Space and Glengarry Glen Ross as well as numerous vampire movies. Not that that’s a bad thing, though, because some great dialogue (courtesy of Dr. God and Ryan Mitts) and exuberant performances (from Kranz, Pascal, Fitzpatrick, Joey Kern and the entire cast, really) intermingle to make Bloodsucking Bastards a real pleasure.
Director Brian James O’Connell keeps things moving briskly while tossing in plenty of gore and comedy. His style is reminiscent of Edgar Wright in that he frames scenes in a manner that, when repeated later in the film, are viewed in a new light to heighten both the humor and horror. If there’s any issue I had with the film’s direction, it’s that many scenes felt claustrophobic as if O’Connell was reluctant to open up the action. There are too many instances where we’re treated to either close ups, medium shots, or bust shots rather than a larger scope of the surroundings. However, that could have been due to budget constraints which is understandable considering the talent they were able to attract (i.e. name actors cost money).
Overall, I’d recommend Bloodsucking Bastards to both comedy and horror fans alike. What first drew me in was the fact that Kranz was the lead (as he’s great in just about anything) and Scream Factory and Shout! Factory were involved in the film’s distribution. I didn’t expect to get as much out of it as I did, however, and that’s always a plus in my book. Bloodsucking Bastards firmly understands that characters (albeit somewhat stereotypical in this case) are what elevate a story above a clever gimmick.
If you enjoy films in the vein of Shaun of the Dead, Army of Darkness, or even Office Space, then you’ll drink up the savory treats Bloodsucking Bastards has to offer!
Bloodsucking Bastards grade: B+
This Old Haunted House 